Tag: #oklahomaexplorer

The Story Behind ‘The Oklahoma Explorer’

Dust Bowl house between Guymon and Boise City

So…how did this all begin?

I began The Oklahoma Explorer project one year ago. This blog was launched on the one year anniversary. The idea was born after a trip to Natural Falls State Park. I have lived in Oklahoma my entire life, in various cities and towns around the state, and had resided in Tulsa for many of those years. Yet in May of 2018, I found myself at this beautiful state park, just over an hour’s drive from Tulsa, standing under an astounding 77-foot waterfall, and I could not believe that in all my years in Oklahoma I was only now setting my eyes on beauty that had been so close all along. It occurred to me that if this gorgeous state park was right under my nose, there must be so many more things to see out there, and I decided to make it my mission to find out just what I had been missing all this time.

The place that started it all-Natural Falls State Park

I am an avid traveler, and have always had a deep interest in travel photography. But though I had traveled thousands of miles around the globe and admired the beauty of Slovenian castles, Japanese temples, and Peruvian markets, there was something very special and deeply personal about hitting the road and exploring the highways and back roads of my home state.

I’ve always had a bit of a complicated relationship with Oklahoma. In my earlier years, like many twenty-somethings, all I thought about was how I was going to get out of Oklahoma, make my way west or east, to the mountains or the ocean, anywhere but here. But life has a way of carving a path for you, and Oklahoma remained my home despite my restless yearnings.

What this journey has offered me is the opportunity to see with fresh eyes the place I have called home all my life. From the quirky roadside attractions of Route 66 to the beauty of the Black Mesa; the resplendent beauty of the Philbrook Museum or the Myriad Gardens to the natural wonders of the Great Salt Plains, I have reveled in the opportunity to see with new eyes all the beauty that this great state has to offer. It has made me a better photographer, and I daresay a more satisfied person. And the journey is far from over. In the coming weeks I will travel back to Oklahoma City, south to Ardmore and the Chickasaw National Recreation Area, Paul’s Valley, and more. I can’t wait to share more of my explorations with you. See you on the road!

Exploring Pawhuska & Pershing

Today I crossed a big item off my Oklahoma bucket list when I finally got to visit the famous swinging bridge of Pawhuska. If you’re planning a visit to the Mercantile, be sure to “swing” by the bridge on your way-only a three minute drive from downtown!

The bridge was originally constructed in 1926, a mere nineteen years after Oklahoma became a state. The placard near the entrance assures visitors that the bridge was refurbished in 1970, but somehow that failed to put my mind at ease. I’m not terribly afraid of heights, but once that bridge started swinging, I discovered that I am afraid of falling from heights into the murky water below.

But facing your fears only builds character, right? So ahead I charged. I can attest that I made it across the bridge dry and in one piece, and the occasional loose board is just there to keep you on your toes, I presume. The placard also assures visitors that the bridge can hold up to 25 people at a time, although the most I saw cross it at once today was a family of five. Maybe don’t tempt fate by testing it at maximum capacity.

The swinging bridge of Pawhuska

My adventures today also took me to the small unincorporated town of Pershing, where the remains of a historic school can be found. The ruins can be found just off of Highway 11, about ten miles south/southeast of Pawhuska. I am quite a sucker for ruins, so I was particularly excited to see this historic site. One of the things I love most about exploring Oklahoma is the kindness of people I encounter, When I found myself on the wrong street, a kindly local gentleman on a lawnmower directed me to my destination. If you have a love of all things abandoned, put this on your Oklahoma bucket list now!

Where should I travel next, Okies? Drop me a comment below, and be sure to follow my adventures on Instagram @oklahomaexplorer ! Thanks for following along!